Tuesday
Oct212008
McCain prepared for quick transition
Former Navy Secretary John Lehman discussed national security concerns that have been raised over the possibility of a terrorist attack during the upcoming presidential transition, and pressed that John McCain would be better prepared to address the threat than Barack Obama.
Speaking in a McCain campaign conference call with former Rep. Scot McInnis (R-Colo.), Lehman, who was recently assigned to oversee a McCain transition, highlighted the Republican candidate's national security experience.
"McCain, as you know, was one of the authors and the key senate sponsor, along with Joe Lieberman, of the 9/11 Commission, and he was the sponsor along with Joe of the legislation to get some 85% of our recommendations through."
Lehman said that although McCain is prepared for a quick transition, he has not yet decided who will serve on his staff.
"No names, no people have been selected. John is not going to address that until the election and he will be right on it the minute after, but he is not taking anything for granted."
However, Lehman stressed that this does not mean there will be a dangerous prolonged absence of staff in the event of a McCain transition.
"The five Republican Secretaries of State, with one exception, have all endorsed and talk regularly with John McCain and he's known for twenty some years in Congress who the people are who know what they're talking about, so he's in touch with all the time with a broad range of people that are going to be included in his administration, but he will not be presumptuous and try to match people to slots."
Lehman added,
"But I know from discussions with him without naming names, that he has a lot of this in his head and it will happen very quickly after he is elected."
Speaking in a McCain campaign conference call with former Rep. Scot McInnis (R-Colo.), Lehman, who was recently assigned to oversee a McCain transition, highlighted the Republican candidate's national security experience.
"McCain, as you know, was one of the authors and the key senate sponsor, along with Joe Lieberman, of the 9/11 Commission, and he was the sponsor along with Joe of the legislation to get some 85% of our recommendations through."
Lehman said that although McCain is prepared for a quick transition, he has not yet decided who will serve on his staff.
"No names, no people have been selected. John is not going to address that until the election and he will be right on it the minute after, but he is not taking anything for granted."
However, Lehman stressed that this does not mean there will be a dangerous prolonged absence of staff in the event of a McCain transition.
"The five Republican Secretaries of State, with one exception, have all endorsed and talk regularly with John McCain and he's known for twenty some years in Congress who the people are who know what they're talking about, so he's in touch with all the time with a broad range of people that are going to be included in his administration, but he will not be presumptuous and try to match people to slots."
Lehman added,
"But I know from discussions with him without naming names, that he has a lot of this in his head and it will happen very quickly after he is elected."
tagged 
Lehman, McCain transition, RNC, Scot McInnis, obama in Election '08, News/Commentary
Lehman, McCain transition, RNC, Scot McInnis, obama in Election '08, News/Commentary
Reader Comments (5)
Easy transition for mccain because he wont change anything
Easy transition for McCain because he won't have to make it. He's not going to be elected.
Let's see...Palin will be the head of the senate and her husband and Karl Rove can take care of the cabinet duties...along with the whole supportive team of Fox news.
Oh, please, say it ain't so, Joe!
This is a decision between a tax and spend liberal and the center with some right leaning conservatives. John McCain is the only man in the race with the knowledge, judgement, experience and ability to swing into action day one.
What more could you want in a President. I have listened intently for the past year. Lots of screaming idiots, very little real substance. Dang, if you are a veteran (as I am) it make you a little ore cautious about giving someone the power of the presidency. Palin needs seasoning, but she will be studying at the foot of a Master. IN energy, very few are her equal. Foreign Policy is very high on my list, but so is energy independence. The Democrats have blocked all energy policy development for years. Too many tree huggers and idealogues for me. I love the environment - who doesn't want clean air and water forever. It must be balanced by the needs of mankind or go back to the stoneage.
McCain is a go to guy. No worries about him having my back. Palin is someone that is trustworthy and a fast learner. I would rather go with them than have ol'Joe and Barack trying to cobble together a weak government in today's tough world.
I'm afraid that Obama will be a pushover when the kitchen gets hot. I agree with Biden's comment on Obama, being president doesn't lend itself to on the job training.